Relocating to London or the Home Counties

Once you have secured a new job or work assignment and are ready for the next step, the next paramount decision is choosing the right location to move to; Garrington Relocation has recognised that a repeated deliberation for Assignees is deciding whether relocating to London or the surrounding Home Counties would be best for them. Living in central London the Assignee would be in the hub of city life surrounded by beautiful architecture with endless cultural events on the doorstep, including some of the best theatre productions, art galleries, restaurants and museums in the world. On the other hand, typically at the price of a 2/3 bedroom flat in central London, the Home Counties offer a larger detached 3 bedroom property with the added benefit of gardens with ample open space and, particularly in the London suburbs, a relatively short commute into the Capital.

This decision is normally faced by those with a job in central London posed with the question of whether to live in the Home Counties and commute to work by public transport or pay the extra cost of living directly in the City centre. Research in 2011 showed how those living in the Home Counties could save up to £375,000 on their property, paying £4,500 for travel expenses instead, and with a simple calculation it is clear to see the money saving opportunity. In areas such as Wimbledon, travelling costs can be down to £1,500 and still saving approximately £300,000. Although the costs may pose an obvious decision, the desired lifestyle can be the deciding factor.

Central London is noted for its fast pace of life with the buzz and excitement that one would expect from a cosmopolitan city. By comparison the Home Counties experience a much slower pace of life, idyllic scenes such as playing cricket on the village green, children cycling or walking to friends’ houses, and walks along the river bank are all realities in these areas. It therefore provokes questions as to whether you are a young individual with the desire for sophisticated bars and an up tempo life, a family looking for a quintessentially English lifestyle, or a couple with competing tastes and styles.

If you are relocating with children, a fundamental part of the decision process will inevitably be schooling; the size of the school, the type of school and educational programmes are all important factors to consider when deciding which school best fits the personality and educational needs of the child. When relocating to the UK Garrington Relocation have found that many Assignees have a pre-conceived expectation of what they want out of their move and what most excites them about the UK. These expectations need to be established to help distinguish which lifestyle will suit best; close to restaurants for fine dining, a relaxing pace of life with open spaces and local pubs and the desire to spend less time commuting and more time at home are all common considerations when deciding which area will be more suitable. Garrington Relocation’s team of experts can offer objective advice to help you choose between Central London and the Home Counties.